A backhoe operator is a person who is trained to use a piece of heavy construction equipment called a backhoe. The majority of a backhoe operator's job consists of digging holes and trenches or smoothing dirt so that the surface of an area is level. Most people who are trained to use a backhoe are also trained to use other pieces of equipment, such as bulldozers, power shovels, or front-end loaders. In addition to handling the arm and shovel portion of a backhoe, a backhoe operator must also be able to drive the machine around a construction site.
The most common job for a backhoe operator is digging and moving earth around a site. These machines are quite powerful and can be used to dig through many different materials, including dirt, rocks, gravel, and mud. Once the shovel has a load of material, the hydraulic arm can dump out the materials onto a dump truck or onto another part of the work site. The shovel and arm are also attached to the tractor body of the backhoe, so the backhoe operator can drive the materials to another part of the site. A backhoe operator needs to be able to drive the machine, position the hydraulic arm correctly, and properly use the shovel.
Aside from digging holes and removing earth, the backhoe operator can dig trenches. The shovel is capable of moving in a straight line, which makes it easy to dig trenches for cables or pipes. Once they are in place, a backhoe may also be used to fill the trench in. Trenches can be dug on land or underwater, though backhoes that are used to dig in shallow water are usually attached to specialized boats.
A backhoe operator can use the backside of the backhoe shovel for flattening, or leveling. This is sometimes necessary to ensure that the ground is stable and ready for other aspects of construction. The machine is used to compress earth so that a site has a level surface. In many cases, a backhoe will be used to dig in one area and either fill it in later or move that material to another part of the construction site.